Lives in Cricket No 48 - Maurice Leyland

A family affair 38 League side Slaithwaite in 1916, until he was discharged from the Army in 1919. It was here in this bleak hillside community, a world away from the busy Harrogate town life of his early years, that Maurice completed his schooling and began both his working and cricketing life. Among a series of articles written by Jim Kilburn for the Yorkshire Evening Post , in 1939, based on conversations with Maurice, the story is told of time spent in this last outpost of Yorkshire cricket just a stone’s throw from the Lancashire border. Ted was obviously determined to see his son make a mark in the game. Although Maurice confessed to being no great enthusiast when it came to learning, much preferring to follow his own instincts - a concept which clearly influenced his coaching techniques in later life - he was given little option when dad was around. On hearing the simple summons, ‘I want you’, Maurice knew he was in for some hard work in the nets, batting against the senior players. Kilburn says Maurice recalled ‘spending a good deal of time replacing disturbed stumps’ and suggests that it was only against his better judgement that the youngster did as he was told and stood his ground. Although Ted was fiercely proud of everything Maurice achieved he remained a stern cricketing critic of his son. David Potter remembered his father telling him of Ted’s anger whenever he saw his son given out lbw. In fairness Maurice did not lose his wicket to lbw decisions any more than the next man but Ted was a hard task master and the hard work and practice stood Maurice in good stead throughout his career. That career began with his senior cricket debut, as a stand- in, for the Moorside second eleven in 1912 and he joined the first team the following season, still a few weeks short of his 13th birthday, on July 20. But he soon learned that league cricket can be a ruthless affair. On one occasion he found himself under pressure as opposing fielders, spotting the small boy making his way to the wicket, decided to close in on him. Although he managed to keep the ball out there looked little sign of a run coming off his bat until his partner at the other end called an impromptu conference between overs. Following instructions, the next time Maurice received a ball off line he